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Hinsdale shifts from warnings to citations as e-bike and scooter complaints increase
Summary
After new state rules and many complaints, Hinsdale officials said the village is emphasizing education and increasingly issuing citations for e-bike and e-scooter violations, noting more than 100 warnings and citations since the updated rules took effect.
Hinsdale officials told trustees on June 10 they are moving from education‑focused warnings to more frequent citations to curb unsafe use of high‑power e‑bikes and electric scooters.
Village President Joseph Hart reviewed state and local rules: recent Illinois law requires municipalities to explicitly authorize electric scooters and sets a minimum rider age of 18 for scooters; state definitions also cap e‑bike motors at 750 watts and require pedals. Police told trustees that manufacturers’ labels are often absent or unclear on devices sold online, so the department treats high‑powered e‑bikes (those with motors reportedly above 750 watts) under the village code as motorcycles for enforcement purposes, giving officers more tools to address misuse.
Chief Gene King said the department has issued more than 100 warnings and citations since the updated rules took effect and that the majority of violations involved non‑residents. King said the department is moving toward issuing citations where people — including parents — repeatedly ignored prior warnings. He described education partnerships with District 181 and the D.A.R.E. program and said the village will distribute a parent guide to purchasing legal e‑bikes and using them safely.
President Hart emphasized parental responsibility, saying: “Giving a 13 or a 15 year old a device capable of traveling at speeds up to 50 miles per hour is not safe and it should not be acceptable.” Officials also said the village updated ordinances to prohibit one‑wheels, electric skateboards and electric dirt bikes on sidewalks and streets and made it a violation to tamper with or hide manufacturer labels that indicate motor wattage.
Why it matters: The policy and enforcement shift affects riders, families and public safety in the village’s downtown and residential areas; officials said education remains central, but citations are necessary where warnings are ignored.
What’s next: Police will continue directed patrols, expand outreach to parents and students and continue coordination with schools. Officials said they will reassess enforcement results in the coming months and return to the board if further restrictions are needed.
